Improvement in exercising-lifts



ROSS FORWARD.

Improvement in Exrcising#Liftl N0. 126,79@ I v Paten.tedMay14,l872.

Fignl'.

Ross FORWARD, or crNorNNA'rr, OHIO.

IMPRJOVEMENT' IN EXERCllSING-LIFTS.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 126,796, dated May 14, 1872.

uated scale-beams in such a manner as to be adapted to the strength of either arm or hand, and thereby insure an equal and symmetrical development of all the muscles of the body.

' The second part of my improvements' relates to a carriage that is arranged so as to transfer the weights along the scale-beam in either direction, which appliance enables women or children to adjust the machine in a few minutes, so as'to be exactly suited to their wants. The third part of my improvements consists in a method of protrudingor retracting the lifting-handles, in order that they may be of the proper length for the user.

Figure l is a perspective view of my improved exercising apparatus. Fig. 2 is a 10ngitudinal section through one of the adjustable lifting-handles. Fig. 3 is a side elevation of the carriage that is employed for shifting the weights along the scale-beams; and Fig. 4 is a rear eleva-tion of said carriage.

A represents the bench or platform upon which the operator stands, and said bench is supported at its ends upon legs B B', which are united by stretchers C C'. The platform proper is pierced with two longitudinal slots,

` a a', through which pass the lifting-handles,

that are arranged as follows: The lower portion of each handle consists of two iat bars, E E', whose upper ends are united by collar e, which serve as guides to the inner rods F. The rods F are provided at their upper ends with suitable handles G, and they are also perforated, as at f, for the reception of pins H, which pass through aperture h in the outer bars E E'. The lower ends of the bars E E' are attached to levers I I' by pivots e', and said levers are fulcrumed to staples JJ', which are secured within -the platform A. The free ends of levers I I' are provided with links i i', that serve to couple said levers with the scalebeams K K', the latter being pivoted to the ends of the machine, as at K K'. Guides L L', depending from the platform, serve to coniine the scale-beams to a vertical path and prevent any lateral motion of the same. 'M M' are the shiftable weights, having staples m, for the attachment of links m', wherewith said weights are suspended from their respective scale-beams. Projecting from the legs B B' of the machine are lugs b b', within which are secured stout cylindrical rods or tubes D D', that not only strengthen the frame of the machine, but they also serve as tracks for the support of the carriage wherewith the weights are shifted. This carriage consists of two iiat plates, N N', that are secured a suitable distan ce apart by means of bars n, and said plates are provided with a lever or handle, O, upon which is journaled a roller, l. This roller is located between the plates N N', as seen in Fig. 3, and said plates project beyond the roller so as tol maintain the carriage in position upon either of the rods D D'. The rear plate N of the carriage is provided with guides Q Q' for the reception of a bar, R, having ratchetteeth r, with which latter is engaged a pawl or detent, S. The bar R carries a hook, T, for a purpose which will be hereafter described.

The operator first places the weights M M' at suitable places upon the scale-beams K K', and then adjusts the handles E F G so as to be of a convenient length, after which he mounts the platform A and procceds to exercise. By simply raising and lowering the handles Gr the weights M M' are alternately elevated and depressed, and this effective and at the same time harmless method of exercising the muscles of the body can be continued at the pleasure of the operator.

The duplex arrangement of handles, levers, and scale-beams permits the weights to be adjusted, so as to develop both sides of the body equally 5 and in case a person should be weaker in one arm, as is generally the case, the weight on that side of the machine can be shifted toward the fulcrum of the scale-beam, so as to be lifted with a less amount of exertion. In case women, children, or invalids should desire to shift the weights they can readily do so by placing the carriage N N' upon either of the bars D D', and then adjust the rods B r so as to engage its hook T with the staple m of thev weights. The operator then depresses the lever O, as shown in Fig. 3, and

thus lifts the link m' from off the scale-beam K, in which elevated position the weight can be shifted by simply movin g the carriage along` the bar D. When the weight has reached the desired position the handle O is elevated and the weight deposited upon the scaleheam, after which the carriage is removed to the other side ofthe machine, and the remaining Weights shifted in the same manner.

As a mutter of convenientref'erence. the scalebeanxs are marked so as to indicate the whole amount lifted.

Owing to the simplicity of its parts my machine can be constructed at :L material reduction in cost, and thus placed Within the reach of those Who are debarred the use of the expensive ones heretofore employed.

Claim.

I claim as my invention- The Weight-carriage with its adjusting ratchet-bnr It, sliding in the boxes Q Q, and provided With a hook, T, handle O, and pulley P, in combination with the guide-rod D, substantially as described.

In testimony of which invention I hereunto set my hand.

Attest: K ROSS FORWARD.

Gno. H. KNIGHT, J AMES H. LAYMAN. 

